U.S. patent number 7,913,522 [Application Number 11/629,301] was granted by the patent office on 2011-03-29 for water level sensor of steam generating apparatus for washing or drying machine and steam generating apparatus with the same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Seog Kyu Park.
United States Patent |
7,913,522 |
Park |
March 29, 2011 |
Water level sensor of steam generating apparatus for washing or
drying machine and steam generating apparatus with the same
Abstract
A steam generator is used in a machine such as a clothes washing
machine, a clothes drying machine, a clothes washing and drying
machine, and the like and a level sensor is used in the same. More
particularly, a level sensor is integrally formed by molding and
conveniently assembled in the steam generator. The steam generator
includes a case having a space for storing water, and formed with a
level sensor insertion hole and a level sensor. The level sensor
includes a conductor having a detector positioned in the space for
storing the water and a connector electrically connected to the
exterior, and a level sensor housing is inserted into the level
sensor insertion hole and is integrally formed with the conductor
by insert molding.
Inventors: |
Park; Seog Kyu (Changwon-si,
KR) |
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc. (Seoul,
KR)
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Family
ID: |
36991901 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/629,301 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2006 |
PCT
Filed: |
March 13, 2006 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/KR2006/000891 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
November 21, 2008 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2006/098572 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
September 21, 2006 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20090107188 A1 |
Apr 30, 2009 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Mar 17, 2005 [KR] |
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10-2005-0022283 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
68/5R; 68/207;
68/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F
39/087 (20130101); F22B 1/284 (20130101); D06F
58/20 (20130101); D06F 39/008 (20130101); F22B
37/78 (20130101); D06F 39/088 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
D06F
39/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;68/5R,5C,15,207 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1580369 |
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Feb 2005 |
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CN |
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1507029 |
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Feb 2005 |
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EP |
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1507031 |
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Feb 2005 |
|
EP |
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60-059928 |
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Apr 1985 |
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JP |
|
60-059929 |
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Apr 1985 |
|
JP |
|
60-059930 |
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Apr 1985 |
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JP |
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14-107203 |
|
Apr 2002 |
|
JP |
|
10-2005-0017489 |
|
Feb 2005 |
|
KR |
|
10-2005-0018182 |
|
Feb 2005 |
|
KR |
|
Primary Examiner: Perrin; Joseph L
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A steam generator of a clothes washing machine or a clothes
drying machine comprising: a case having a space for storing water
wherein a water level sensor insertion hole formed therein; and a
water level sensor comprising an electric conductor for detecting a
water level in the space and a water level sensor housing fixed to
the case to support the electric conductor, wherein the housing
includes a covering part inserted into the water level sensor
insertion hole to surround the conductor except for a lower end of
conductor such that the lower end of the conductor is exposed in
the case, and wherein the conductor and the housing are made to be
one body by insert molding such that no gap is provided between the
conductor and the housing.
2. The steam generator of a clothes washing machine or a clothes
drying machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the water level
sensor housing includes a socket, and an upper end of the conductor
is positioned in the socket.
3. The steam generator of a clothes washing machine or a clothes
drying machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising another
at least one conductor to detect another water level.
4. The steam generator of a clothes washing machine or a clothes
drying machine as set forth in claim 3, wherein all the conductors
and the housing are made to be one body.
5. The steam generator of a clothes washing machine or a clothes
drying machine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an
undulating restricting means for restricting water around at least
the lower end of the portion of the conductor positioned in the
space from undulating.
6. The steam generator of a clothes washing machine or a clothes
drying machine as set forth in claim 5, wherein the undulating
restricting means is made in a form of wall around the lower end of
the conductor.
7. The steam generator of a clothes washing machine or a clothes
drying machine as set forth in claim 6, wherein the undulating
restricting means comprises: a lower wall protruded from the bottom
of the case; and an upper wall protruded from the ceiling of the
case.
8. The steam generator of a clothes washing machine or a clothes
drying machine as set forth in claim 7, wherein a slit is formed in
the lower wall.
9. A steam generator of a clothes washing machine or a clothes
drying machine comprising: a case having a space to store water; a
water level sensor to detect a water level in the space, the water
level sensor including: a common electrode; a lowest-level
electrode for detecting the lowest level; a highest-level electrode
for detecting the highest level; a housing including a socket
configured to expose upper sides of the electrodes out of the case
and a covering part to surround lower sides of the electrodes
except for lower ends of the electrodes such that the lower ends of
the electrodes are exposed in the case, wherein the electrodes and
the housing are integrally formed as one body by insert molding
such that no gap is provided between the electrodes and the
housing.
Description
This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application
No. 2005-0022283, filed on Mar. 17, 2005 and PCT Application No.
PCT/KR2006/000891, filed on Mar. 13, 2006, which is hereby
incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application
No. 10-2005-22283, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if
fully set forth herein.
The invention relates to a steam generator used in a machine such
as a clothes washing machine, a clothes drying machine, a clothes
washing and drying machine, and the like and a water level sensor
used in the same. In more particularly, the present invention
relates to a water level sensor made to be one body by insert
molding and able to be conveniently assembled in the steam
generator.
BACKGROUND ART
Generally, clothes washing machines include a pulsator type clothes
washing machine in which a drum is erected in the vertical
direction, a drum type clothes washing machine in which a drum lays
down, a clothes washing and drying machine having drying function,
and a clothes drying machine for performing only drying function of
clothes.
Specially, the drum type clothes washing machine among the clothes
washing machines is an apparatus for performing the washing of
laundry using friction generated between the drum rotated due to
the driving force transmitted from a motor when detergent, washing
water, and the laundry are supplied into the drum. According to the
drum type clothes washing machine, the laundry is hardly damaged
nor entangled. Moreover, the drum type clothes washing machine has
an effect like washing of the laundry using a washing stick and by
rubbing the laundry.
Hereinafter, the conventional drum type clothes washing machine
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating an inner structure
of the conventional drum type clothes washing machine.
As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional drum type clothes washing
machine includes a main body 10, a tub mounted in the main body 10,
a drum 30 mounted to rotated in the tub 20 and having a lift 35
installed in the inner circumference thereof, and a driving device
for driving the drum 30.
In the front side of the main body 10, a door 40 is provided at a
predetermined position to correspond to an opening of the drum 30,
and a gasket 50 is provided between the door 40 and the drum 30 to
seal the drum 30.
Here, in the tub 20, dampers 21 are provided in the lateral lower
sides of the outer circumference thereof and fixed in the main body
10.
The driving device 70 includes a driving motor 71 for driving the
drum 30 and a belt 72 connected to a belt pulley 73 to transmit a
driving force of the driving motor 71 to the drum 30.
In the drum type clothes washing machine structured as described
above, a controller (not shown) for receiving command for washing
the laundry from a user and controlling the clothes washing machine
carries out the washing of the laundry while performing a washing
cycle, a rinsing cycle, and a final dehydrating cycle
sequentially.
In the washing cycle, contaminant is separated through detergent,
and due to shock and friction generated due to a head that the
laundry is lifted up and dropped down by the lift 35 and a bending
and expanding movement of the laundry during the continuous
rotation of the drum 30.
In the rinsing cycle, fresh washing water is supplied and the drum
30 is repeatedly rotated such that the remaining detergent and the
contaminant generated during the washing cycle are separated from
the laundry and the laundry is rinsed.
Moreover, in the final dehydrating cycle, the drum 30 is rotated at
a high speed (approximately 800 RPM to 1300 RPM) such that the
dehydrating process is carried out to dehydrate the laundry that is
completely rinsed.
Recently, in order to save power consumption and the washing water
supplied to the washing of the laundry, the clothes washing machine
further includes a steam generator 80.
As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional steam generator 80 includes a
case 82 having a space for storing water, and a beater 84 for
heating the stored water.
Here, in a side of the case 82, a water supplying port 81 is
connected to a water-supplying pipe (not shown) of the clothes
washing machine to introduce the water into the case 82. In the
opposite side of the case 82, a discharge port 83 is connected to a
steam-supplying pipe (not shown) for supplying steam generated by
heating the water introduced into the case 82 to the drum 30 of the
clothes washing machine.
Meanwhile, in the intermediate region of the case 82, a temperature
sensor 88 is provided to detect temperature of the water stored in
the case 82.
Further, in order to prevent the heater 84 from being overheated
resulting in damaging the heater 84 and peripheral components, a
heater temperature sensor (not shown) such as a thermo-fuse is
installed to an end of the heater 84.
In the upper side of the case 82, a water level sensor 90 is
installed to detect the level of the water stored in the case
82.
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a conventional level sensor.
As shown in the drawing, the conventional level sensor 90 includes
a plurality of electrodes 92 extended toward the bottom of the case
82, a housing 94 fixed to the case 82 to support the electrodes 92,
and a socket 96 into which a connector (not shown) for connecting
the electrodes 92 to a controller (not shown) of the clothes
washing machine is inserted.
The upper sides of the respective electrodes 92 are covered by a
covering part 98 of the housing 94.
In other words, after inserting the respective electrodes 92 into
the covering part 98 of the housing 94, the socket 96 is assembled
to the upper side of the housing 94 and the housing 94 is assembled
to the upper side of the case 82 so that the level sensor 90 is
installed in the steam generator by way of assembling.
Thus, when the water is supplied into the case 82 up to a certain
water level, the electrode corresponding to the water level is
electrically connected to another electrode through the water.
However, the conventional level sensor of the clothes washing
machine has disadvantages as follows.
Firstly, since the level sensor includes several components and
needs several assembling processes, the productivity is
deteriorated.
Secondly, the covering part surrounding the outsides of the
electrodes covers only some of upper parts of the electrodes. When
vibration is applied to the case of the steam generator or the
water in the case undulates during the water supply so that the
water splashes around, a drop of water is placed between the
uncovered portions of the electrodes so as to make the electrodes
electrically connected so that the controller may erroneously
detect the level in the case.
Thirdly, since there is a gap between the electrodes and the
covering part of the housing, leakage caused by a capillary
phenomenon may cause an electric leakage. Moreover, if sealing in
order to prevent this problem, since work for the sealing is
required, the productivity is deteriorated.
Furthermore, since the electrodes are inserted into the covering
part of the housing, the covering part and the electrodes must be
made in simple structures so as to make the insertion made easily.
Thus, correspondingly, the covering part and the part of the
electrodes inserted into the covering part are limited to be
straight so that the installation position of the level sensor is
limited to the position directly above the space for storing the
water of the case.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems,
and it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a water
level sensor of a steam generator whose assembling processes are
reduced and which is easily assembled such that the productivity is
increased, and to provide the steam generator with the same.
It is another aspect of the present invention is to provide a level
sensor of a steam generator prevented from erroneously detecting a
level in spite of undulating of water in a case, to provide the
steam generator with the same.
Moreover, without a separate sealing water is prevented from
leaking out through a gap between electrodes and a housing
surrounding the same.
Additionally, by taking the conventional assembly of a covering
part and electrodes into consideration, the limitations of the
covering part and the electrodes to be made in simple structures,
and the installation position of a level sensor to be directly
above the space for storing water are eliminated.
Technical Solution
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above
and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a steam
generator including a case having a space for storing water and
formed with a level sensor insertion hole, and a level sensor.
Here, the level sensor includes a conductor for detecting a water
level in the space for storing the water and a water level sensor
housing inserted into the level sensor insertion hole, wherein the
conductor and the housing are made to be one body by insert
molding.
Since the conductor is made to be one body with the level sensor
housing by insert molding, the level sensor is easily fabricated.
Moreover, since the assembly of the level sensor to the case is
completed only by inserting the level sensor into the level sensor
insertion hole, the installation thereof is also easy and
convenient.
Further, thanks to the insert molding, no gap is provided between
the conductor and the housing so that the water leakage is
prevented from happening between the conductor and the housing
without additional sealing.
Moreover, thanks to the insert molding, there is no limit of a
simple structure by taking the assembly of the level sensor into
consideration. By doing so, the conductor may have a curved shape.
Due to these advantages, the leakage is more securely prevented and
the limit of the installation position of the level sensor becomes
eliminated.
Additionally, when the conductor has a curved shape and the
conductor and the housing are easily deformable, the depth of the
level can be adjusted. For example, when a level to be measured is
deep, the curved portion of the conductor can be unfolded to adjust
the level to be measured.
Preferably, the level sensor housing includes a socket into which a
plug is inserted, and an end of the conductor is positioned in the
socket. Thus, in connection to a controller as an external device,
when a plug of the controller is inserted into the socket, an end
of the conductor is electrically connected to the plug so that the
level sensor is electrically connected to the controller.
Moreover, the level sensor housing preferably includes a covering
part for covering at least a part of the conductor positioned in
the space for storing the water. In more preferably, the covering
part extends to the end of the conductor.
According to the conventional technologies, since the covering part
covers only the upper side of the conductor and a plurality of
conductors are disposed near to each other, droplets are generated
on the uncovered portions of the conductors and the conductors are
electrically connected to each other, so that the detection
precision of the level is deteriorated.
Thus, when the covering part extends to the end of the conductor,
the problem generated in the conventional technologies can be
solved.
Preferably, a plurality of conductors to detect a plurality of
levels of the water can be included. In this case, the conductors
include a common electrode, a lowest-level electrode for detecting
the lowest level, and a highest-level electrode for detecting the
highest level.
For the detection of the level using the electrodes, preferably,
whether the electrodes are electrically connected to the common
electrode is utilized. For example, when the water is supplied into
the space for storing the water and whether or not the common
electrode is electrically connected to the lowest-level electrode
is checked, the level at the time when the electrical connection is
checked is determined as the lowest level. The highest level is
determined likewise.
As other method of detecting the level, there is a way using
electric voltage of the electrodes. Since the electric voltage
detected when the ends of the electrodes contact the water is
different from that when not, the level may be detected using this
fact.
In a case that a heater is exposed in the space for storing the
water, the lowest level is preferably a level where at least a part
of the heater is exposed out of the water. Thus, when the level of
the water is below the lowest level, the heater is prevented from
working so that problems caused by overheat can be prevented.
The highest level is preferably determined by taking a maximum
quantity of the water stored in the space for storing the water
into consideration. When the level of the water is equal to and
higher than the highest level during the supply of the water into
the space for storing the water, the supply of water is preferably
stopped.
Moreover, the steam generator of the present invention may further
include an undulating restricting means for restricting water
around at least the end of the portion of, particularly below the
conductor positioned in the space for storing the water from
undulating.
If there is no undulating restricting means, although the present
level reaches below the end of the conductor, the water undulates
due to vibration or other reason and contacts the end of the
conductor so that the level may be erroneously detected. The
undulating restricting means prevents the erroneous detection of
the level from being made.
Preferably, the restricting means is made in a form of wall around
the end of the conductor. More preferably, the restricting means
includes a lower wall protruded from the bottom of the case, and an
upper wall protruded from the ceiling of the case.
As such, when there are the walls, although water undulates due to
vibration, the undulation around the end of the electrode for
detecting the level is prevented so that the level can be more
precisely detected.
Here, the lower wall is formed with a penetrating slit through
which the water flows, and the penetrating slit preferably extends
to the lowest part of the wall.
In a case where a closed space is provided by the coupled lower
wall and upper wall, the walls are formed with passageways such as
water smoothly flows into the closed space where the conductor is
disposed, and a passageway is preferably formed such that air
remaining in the closed space is discharged by the introducing
water.
Meanwhile, the level sensor of the present invention includes a
level sensor housing including a socket into which a plug is
inserted and a covering part, and a conductor covered by the
covering part, wherein the housing and the conductor are made to be
one body by insert molding. Here, the ends of the conductor are
exposed, and one of them is positioned in the socket.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
According to the present invention, in view of assembling the steam
generator, the assembly is conveniently carried out, and, due to
this point, the productivity is increased.
Moreover, despite of undulation of water in the case, the erroneous
detection of the level is prevented so that the accuracy of
detecting the level can be enhanced.
Additionally, without a specific sealing, a gap between the
electrodes and the housing surrounding the same cannot be provided
so that the water leakage through the gap is prevented.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating an inner structure
of a conventional drum type clothes washing machine;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional steam
generator;
FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a conventional level sensor in FIG.
2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a steam generator
employing a level sensor of a steam generator of a clothes washing
machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the level sensor of a
steam generator of a clothes washing machine according to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a case in which the level
sensor in FIG. 5 is installed.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a steam generator of a
clothes washing machine of the present invention capable of
implanting the above objects and features of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used
throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts, and
additional description for the same will be omitted.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a steam generator
employing a water level sensor according to a preferred embodiment
of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating
the level sensor of a steam generator according to the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view
illustrating a case in which the level sensor of a steam generator
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is
installed.
As shown in FIG. 4, the steam generator 180 according to this
preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a water
supply port 181 formed in a side of the steam generator to
introduce water therein, and a case 182 formed with a discharge
port 183 in which steam generated by heating the water introduced
from the water supply port 181 is discharged to a drum 30 (See FIG.
1).
Here, the case 182 has a capacity capable of storing a
predetermined amount of water therein.
Moreover, the case 182 includes a heater 184 installed therein to
heat the water stored in the case 182.
Here, the heater 184 is preferably installed in the lower side of
the case 182 to heat the water although the level of the water
stored in the case is high or low.
Moreover, the heater 184 is preferably a sheath heater having a
high thermal efficiency and capable of relatively heating water
within a short time.
A temperature sensor 188 for detecting an interior temperature of
the case 182 or the water temperature may be further provided.
A level sensor 190 for detecting a level of the water in the case
182 is provided.
The level sensor 190 is preferably installed in an upper side of
the case 182.
In this embodiment, the level sensor 190, as shown in FIG. 5,
includes at least one electrode 192 as a conductor for detecting
the level of the water in the case 182, and a level sensor housing
194 integrally formed with the electrode by insert molding. Here,
level sensor housing 194 includes a socket 196 into which a plug
(not shown) of a controller is inserted and a covering part 198 for
covering the electrode 192.
The electrode 192 is positioned in the socket 196 such that one end
thereof is electrically connected to the plug and is coated with
the covering part 198. Here, the opposite end of the electrode, as
shown in the drawings, is exposed out of the covering part 198 and
contacts water to detect the water level.
In more detail, as shown in FIG. 6, the electrode 192 extends from
the upper side of the case 182 to the bottom of the case 182 by a
predetermined length. Preferably, the electrode 192 includes a
single common electrode 192a and a plurality of level electrodes
192b and 192c having different lengths. The level sensor depicted
in the drawings includes a lowest-level electrode 192b for
detecting the lowest level and a highest-level electrode 192c for
detecting the highest level.
Here, the common electrode 192a extends near the bottom of the case
182 to contact the water until the water in the case 182 is totally
disappeared.
Moreover, one of the level electrodes 192b and 192c has a length
corresponding to a length of the common electrode 192a to be
electrically connected to the common electrode 192a until the water
in the case 182 is totally disappeared. The other of the level
electrodes 192b and 192c extends downwardly to a height when water
is fulfilled in the case 182 to be electrically connected to the
common electrode 192a when the water is fulfilled in the case
182.
Never to say, the common electrode 192a can extend lower than the
lowest-level electrode 192b.
In addition to the lowest-level electrode 192b and the
highest-level electrode 192c, if necessary, a level electrode (not
shown) may be further provided to extend to the intermediate
portion of the case 182 to detect an intermediate level.
Moreover, the socket 196 is preferably formed in the upper side of
the electrode 192 to be exposed out of the case 182.
The housing 194 is provided to support the respective electrodes
192 and to fix the respective electrodes 192 to the upper side of
the case 182.
Moreover, the covering part 198 is preferably extends from the
lower end of the housing 194 to surround the outer surface of the
electrode 192.
Here, the covering part 198 surrounds the outer surfaces of the
respective electrodes 192 except for the lower ends of the
electrodes 192 such that the lower ends of the electrodes 192 are
exposed in the case 182. This is to expose the ends of the
electrodes 12 and to contact the water stored in the case 182 to
detect the level.
Meanwhile, the electrodes 192, and the housing 194 including the
socket 196 and the covering part 198 of the level sensor of a steam
generator according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention are integrally formed by insert molding.
In other words, after the electrodes 192 are fabricated, the
housing 194 is integrally formed with the electrodes 192 by the
insert molding.
Here, the housing 194 of the level sensor including the socket 196
and the covering part 198 is preferably made of a plastic resin
such that the insert molding is easily performed. More preferably,
the housing 194 is made of a flexible material.
Moreover, according to the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, a lower partition 195 and an upper partition 193
disposed around the electrodes 192 are further provided.
In more detail, the lower partition 195 protrudes upward from the
bottom of the case 182 to be disposed around the electrodes
192.
Moreover, the upper partition 193, like the lower partition 195,
preferably protrudes from the inner upper side of the case 182 to
be disposed around the electrodes 19 such that there is a region
where the lower end of the upper partition 193 is overlapped with
the upper end of the lower partition 195.
Preferably, the lower partition 195 is formed with at least one
penetrating slit 197 penetrating the lower partition 195 in the
vertical direction such that the water stored in the case 182 is
filled between the upper partition 193 and the lower partition
195.
Here, the penetrating slit 197 is formed such that the water in the
case 182 fills a space defined by the lower partition 195 and the
upper partition 193.
The level sensor of a steam generator of a clothes washing machine
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention
works as follows.
Firstly, when the washing cycle of the clothes washing machine is
started, water is introduced into the case 182 through the water
supply port 181.
The water introduced into the case 182 is heated by the heater 184
and is transformed into steam, and the steam is introduced into the
drum 30 (See FIG. 1) for accommodating laundry through the
discharge port 183 to wet and soak the laundry resulting in
enhancing washing efficiency.
Here, when water is fulfilled in the case 182 and the level becomes
the highest-level M, since the common electrode 192, the
lowest-level electrode 192b, and the highest-level electrode 192c
are soaked in the water and electrically connected, the controller
(not shown) determines this state as the highest level.
Moreover, when the water in the case 182 is disappeared and the
level becomes the intermediate level, since the highest-level
electrode 192c is exposed over the surface of the water such that
the highest-level electrode 192c is not electrically connected to
the common electrode 192a and the lowest-level electrode 192b and
the common electrode 192a are soaked in the water to be
electrically connected to each other, the controller (not shown)
determines this state as the intermediate level.
Further, when the water in the case 182 is almost disappeared and
the level is lowered down below the lowest level L, since the
common electrode 192a and the lowest-level electrode 192b are
exposed to air and are not electrically connected to each other,
the controller (not shown) determines this state as the lowest
level.
Meanwhile, a space is defined around the electrodes 192 by the
upper partition 193 and the lower partition 195. Although the water
stored in the case 182 is undulated during the supply of water or
vibration transmitted from exterior, since the inside of the space
is defined by the partitions, the undulation is reduced and the
level is more precisely detected.
Moreover, when assembling the level sensor 190 of a steam generator
of a clothes washing machine according to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention to the case 182, since the level sensor
190 is fabricated into a single component by the insert molding
such that the level sensor 190 is installed in the upper side of
the case 182 to complete the assembly, the assembling process is
simple and the productivity is increased.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The invention relates to a steam generator used in a machine such
as a clothes washing machine, a clothes drying machine, a clothes
washing and drying machine, and the like and a level sensor used in
the same. In more particularly, the present invention relates to a
level sensor integrally formed by molding and conveniently
assembled in the steam generator.
According to the present invention, in view of assembling the steam
generator, the assembly is conveniently carried out, and, due to
this point, the productivity is increased.
Moreover, despite of undulation of water in the case, the erroneous
detection of the level is prevented so that the accuracy of
detecting the level can be enhanced.
Additionally, without a specific sealing, a gap between the
electrodes and the housing surrounding the same cannot be generated
so that the leakage is prevented.
* * * * *